Clasp or buckle.



i Patented Oct. 7, l902- C. BERRY. CLASP 0R BUGKLE. (Appliafion filed m a, 1901. Renewed Feb. 25, 1902.)

QIIO Modal.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES M. BERRY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO FREDERICK HOFMANN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CLASP OR BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming'part of Letters Patent No. 710,412, dated October 7, 1902.

Application filed May 6, 1901. .Renewed February 25, 1902. Serial No. 95,563. (No model.)

1 o ters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention relates to improvements in clasps or buckles consisting of two jaws pivotally fastened to an upper yoke and adapted to engage the band or materialto be supported and by a turn around their pivotal joints to securely lock the material within same.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of the nature described which will embody, besides simplicity and economyin cost of manufacture, efficiency in action.

An essential feature of my invention is the grooves formed upon the ends of the upper yoke for the purpose of locking the jaws against any accidental displacement, as will be hereinafter fully described.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device, showing a band of material held and supported by the jaws. Fig. 2 is a perspective View and shows the first position of the material to be suspended before being locked upon the jaws. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the pivotal joint. Fig. tis an enlarged sectional view through the pivotal joint. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a slight modification. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the pivotal joint constructed of wire and shows the locking mechanism, and Fig. 7 is a view which shows jaws formed at both ends of the device.

The clasp consists, essentially, of the jaws A and B, pivotally connected at a to the up per supporting-yoke C, whose ends are formed with a groove or depression I), in which the arms a, of the jaw A are adapted to engage.

The arms of the supporting-yoke C are constructed so as to have a slight spring to allow the arms a to snap into the grooves 12 and be tightly held therein. The ends of arms a are shown flattened, as at a and engage against the upper part of the flattened ends of the arms of the supporting-yoke O, and the ends of the arms I) of the jaw B pass through the flattened ends a of the arms a and the end of the yoke G and act as the pivot around which the two jaws turn.

When using my device, the supportingyoke C may be securely attached to any suspending-piece, as C. The jaws are opened, and the material to be suspended or held is passed around one of the jaws, as shown in Fig. 2. V The jaws are then brought together and made to revolve once around their pivotal joint in a direction so that the end or folded partof the material held within the jaws will be on the inside of the turn, as illustrated, in Fig. 1. In this position itisimpossible to pull out the material held within the jaws, as the pulling pressure upon the jaws has the tendency of bringing them more tightly together. To release the material, the operation just described is reversed. V

In Fig. 5 I show a slight constructional modification wherein I do not flatten the ends of the arms of the yoke C and the jaw A, but turn the ends to form the eyelets o and a respectively, through which I pass the ends a of the arms I). This construction is particularly applicable for Wire. In this modification I have not shown the locking arrangement; but in Fig. (i I show how the end of the eyeletc may be extended to form the snaphooks c, which are adapted to engage with the arms a of the jaw A.

In the drawings I have shown straight jaws A and B; but it is obvious that I may curve or corrugate one or both of them or vary their shape Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

It is obvious that instead of the band C, I may substitute any. suitable pin or hook,

which may be fastened directly to the yoke;

but as this does not involve invention I do not claim such.

In Fig. 7 Ishow a perspectiveview of half of my device having jaws at both ends. In this form I do away with the yoke O shown in the other views and substitute instead the double- H-shaped yoke, which consists of the two side pieces C connected by the crosspiece 0 The ends of the side pieces 0 are flattened, as at 1), similar to the end of the yoke 0 shown in the other views, and the jaws A and B are attached in a similar manner. This arrangement is particularly adap ted for vest and trousers bands, belts, &c.

Having thus described my invention,what

5 I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A clasp consisting of a suspending-yoke having projecting arms and two jaws pivotally fastened to the said yoke so arranged as to make a complete revolution about their pivotal fastenings,substantially as described.

2. A clasp consisting of a suspending-yoke having projecting arms, two jaws pivotally fastened to the said yoke and arranged so as to make a complete revolution about their pivotal fastenings, and a recess formed upon the said yoke to afiord a means for locking one of the jaws, substantially as described.

3. A clasp consisting of a yoke having flattened ends,two jaws pivotally fastened to the ends of the said yoke and adapted to turn about their pivotal fastenings and grooves formed upon the said flattened ends of the yoke and adapted to engage with the arms of one of the jaws to securely lock same in position, substantially as described.

4. In a clasp as herein described, the combination with a suspending-yoke having projecting arms and attached band, of two jaws pivotally connected to the ends of the said yoke and adapted to clasp the material to be held and arranged so as to make a complete revolution about their pivotal connections to securely hold'the material upon the jaws, and a recess formed upon the said yoke to aflt'orda means for locking the said jaws, substantially as described.

5. In a clasp as herein described, the combination with a yoke and attached band and a locking-groove formed upon the ends of said yoke, of tWo jaws pivotally connected to the said ends of the said yoke and adapted to clasp the material to be held and turn upon their pivotal connections to securely hold the said materialupon the jaws, substantially as described.

6. In a clasp as herein described, the combination with a suspending-yoke having projecting arms and attached band, of two jaws pivotally connected to the ends of the said yoke and adapted to clasp the material to be held and arranged to make a complete revolution about their pivotalconnections to securely hold the said material upon the jaws, substantially as described.

7. A clasp consisting of a suspending-yoke having flattened ends, two jaws pivotally fastened to the said yoke at their flattened ends and arranged to mak'e'a complete revolution about their pivotal fastenings, and suitable means for lockin g the jaws, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as I 

